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FEATURE FOCUS: SCHOOL MAINTENANCE & DESIGN


carbon footprint of such buildings. A key starting point is reducing energy demand and usage, which can be achieved through the installation of energy efficient roofing, insulation, double or triple glazing, smart LED lighting systems, and enhanced maintenance and control regimes underpinned by real-time data-driven technologies such as building management systems. Once such efficiency improvements have been


made, bigger steps such as investing in heat pumps, wind, solar panels and waste heat recovery can be taken, all capable of further supporting the journey towards net zero. It is also important to consider that, in this


context, sustainability should look beyond environmental footprints as well. Yes, we need to transform our building stock to align with net zero targets, but we also need to create buildings and spaces that support our health – both physically and mentally. Wellbeing has been catapulted up the agenda


in the past two years in light of the pandemic, and schools in particular have been identified as poorly ventilated spaces that are rarely equipped to prevent the spread of airborne viruses such as COVID-19. Indeed, as the UK proceeds with its strategy to


live with coronavirus, an important mitigation and safeguarding measure will be to improve airflow and ventilation not just in schools, but other buildings where lots of individuals gather – think offices, hospitality venues, shops and more.


The problems posed by heritage and listed school buildings Bringing any existing building up to speed with these sorts of adaptions is a challenge. However, when it comes to historical and listed buildings, many of which are schools, these challenges are markedly magnified for the simple reason that these structures were designed and built without modern technologies and working practices in mind. This makes reducing the carbon footprint of


heritage and listed school buildings much more difficult than their modern counterparts, and almost certainly more expensive. Another option would be demolition and


replacement. However, research carried out by Historic England’s The Heritage Counts in 2019 suggests that demolishing a historic building and replacing it with a new build can actually result in greater carbon emissions due to the associated


embodied carbon, i.e. the materials and processes used to create the replacement. Putting the issue of cost to one side, there is


also a debate to be had about whether the intrinsic value and historical importance contained within these buildings should exempt them from carbon reduction schemes. Indeed, the demolition of such properties is highly unlikely to happen. Heritage sites are protected for several reasons, standing as pillars of communities, cultural identity and shared history. Public appreciation is simply proven. National


trust sites, for example, attracted more than 5.37 million members during 2019/2020. Further, even when many of these buildings and grounds were closed during the pandemic, people took up the option to visit and tour them virtually. In terms of schools, the opportunity for pupils


and students to be taught in historical and culturally significant buildings can add to the experience of learning, making the case for demolition and replacement on environmental grounds even more difficult.


Approaching the retrofit and refurbishment challenge With retrofit and refurbishment therefore being the only realistic route to take, it is important to carry out such works in a way that allows historic and listed school buildings to retain their cultural significance and original fabric by adopting a minimal intervention approach. Further evidence from Heritage Counts reveals


that it is possible to reduce the carbon emissions of historic buildings by more than 60% between now and 2050 through refurbishment and retrofit strategies. Of course, actually doing so is easier said than


done, not least because these buildings pose some unique challenges when it comes to sustainability. Although alterations generally do not require


planning permission, listed building consent is needed to make changes to certain features such as panelling, decorative architraves, or plasterwork. Meanwhile, external work is rigorously regulated and also requires consent. Once a license is granted to carry out works on a historical school building, there is a need to


June 2022


consider the environmental implications of the retrofitting and refurbishing itself. These projects all generate their own embodied carbon emissions, so the materials used need careful consideration, as well as the processes deployed in terms of carrying the work out. Indeed, there is little point in making upgrades if the carbon footprint of the materials used will take decades to offset with any gradual gains subsequently achieved by the project. This level of consideration requires effective


communication between all stakeholders to ensure expectations are understood and demands are met. It is only through communication and dialogue that the balance between preserving heritage and enhancing sustainability can be properly struck. Not all sustainable upgrades will require


physical works and alterations to the building, however. In some cases, smart technology will present


compelling options to owners and occupiers of historic sites, and it is here that a modern facilities management (FM) partner can add real value. Indeed, once seen as a profession purely centred around people skills and the ability to organise the ins and outs of a building, a more accurate characterisation of FM is three-way symbiosis between people, property and technology. Technology is empowering us to access,


analyse and act upon information. From data gathering sensors to cloud-based building management platforms, there are a plethora of digital tools at our disposal which enable us to identify areas ripe for sustainability gains. Systems which were only a few years back used purely for preventative maintenance purposes have now evolved into tools from which to base proactive management of energy usage – that all important first step to decarbonising our building stock. By taking advantage of technology and adopting a non-invasive approach to physical renovation work, one which careful considers raw materials and engages all stakeholders from the outset, our historic buildings can be preserved for us all to enjoy while doing their bit to support the move to net zero. While challenges may appear aplenty, they are by no means insurmountable.


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